Social Support, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Outcomes Among Veterans in Non-VA Facilities: Results from the Veterans' Health Study

Abstract

Using a stress process model, the authors examined social and psychological resources to better understand mental health outcomes among veterans. For this study, we surveyed 700 U.S. veterans who were outpatients in the Geisinger Health System. Independent variables included demographic factors, stressful and traumatic events, social support measures, and psychosocial factors. Using logistic regression, the authors examined 4 types of social connections: social support, help-seeking support, social capital, and other mental health support to predict mental health outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide ideation, alcohol misuse, mental health service use, and Veterans Affairs service use. Results suggested that help-seeking support since deployment was a risk factor for 5 adverse outcomes, whereas social support was protective for 1 outcome. We concluded that high levels of help-seeking support since deployment among veterans was associated with a higher prevalence of mental health problems. These findings were unexpected and suggest the need for additional social support-related research among veterans.

<p>Predictors of Current DSM-5 PTSD Diagnosis and Symptom Severity Among Deployed Veterans: Significance of Predisposition, Stress Exposure, and Genetics</p>

“…Significant variables in the final PTSD symptom severity model included age, sex, PTSD genetic risk score, combat exposure, multiple warzone tours, childhood abuse and neglect, current depression, current insomnia, lifetime traumatic events, social support, history of attention-deficit disorder, and history of in-service concussion, previously identified in the past research. 18,20,44 Significant interaction effects were also detected for both high combat and high lifetime traumatic event exposures by genetic risk score, which suggested the impact of these trauma exposures on PTSD symptom severity manifestation was lower when the genetic risk was higher. Thus, our study appears to have replicated previous results with a trauma-exposed civilian population.…”

“…[39][40][41][42][43] Based on previous research, scale measurement for combat exposure was divided into low vs high cut-points described elsewhere (Cronbach Alpha=0.84). 20,44,45 To assess trauma exposure, the Lifetime Traumatic Event Scale was used, which measured the occurrence of 12 lifetime traumatic events (e.g., forced sexual contact, domestic abuse, a serious accident, experiencing a major disaster). 46 Based on previous research, 20 we collapsed these exposures into high vs low count categories.…”

Neurocognitive and psychiatric comorbidities of posttraumatic stress disorder among older veterans: A systematic review

“…Lastly, half of the reviewed studies did not adjust for potential confounding factors and other factors that influence the comorbidity of PTSD, and other neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders went unmeasured. The effects of psychosocial factors such as social support, social network, and living place (rural vs urban residence) need to be considered to understand the mechanism of PTSD comorbidity . Other potential unmeasured confounding factors include cognitive reserve, body mass index, physical functioning, physical activity, and the effects of antipsychotic use .…”

Suporte Social De Familiares E Amigos: Discurso De Pessoas Com Comportamento Suicida

“…Entende-se, assim, que os profissionais de saúde ocupam funções de destaque no reforço de elos que implicam a família, os amigos e a comunidade na formação de redes que favorecem a prevenção do suicídio (20)(21) . No entanto, estudo sobre estratégias de prevenção e pósvenção do suicídio em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial, constatou, através das falas dos profissionais, dificuldades na abordagem, acolhimento e cuidado à pessoa em risco para o suicídio.…”